Yellow Toenails—No, Not That Kind

No one wants yellow toenails in the summer—unless, of course, they painted them that way.

The unlikely shade is now one of the hottest trends of the season. But we still weren't buying it—until this week, when one of our fashion interns walked in with a canary yellow pedicure peeking out from her under her strappy wedges. The look was so bright and fresh, it inspired us to try the polish on our own toes. We talked to celebrity manicurist Elle for tips on getting this right.

Toenails should be cut and filed into a short, square shape to keep them looking neat and healthy. And be sure to scrub the nail free of any dust or oils. Elle uses an antibacterial soap and a nail brush to cleanse the nail first, then applies a basecoat, two coats of polish, and a topcoat for the most shine.

Choose carefully:

"It's all about picking the right yellow," Elle says. If you're very pale, try something with warmer undertones, like L'Oréal Paris Nail Color in Tweet Me. The soft gold shimmer in this shade complements pink tones in skin, Elle says. Women with medium skin tones can try something a bit cooler, like Revlon Scented Parfume Nail Enamel in Lemon Meringue, to contrast with the warmth in their skin. And bold opaque shades, like Nars Nail Polish in Amchoor (above) and Sally Hansen Insta-Dri Fast Dry Nail Color in Lightening (the shade that inspired this post), look amazing on dark skin, Elle says.

Match point:

When it comes to your fingernails, Elle says it's better to complement than match. Navy, petal pink, or a basic neutral on hands sets off a yellow pedicure beautifully. And take your clothing into consideration, too: A yellow pedicure may look gorgeous in black strappy sandals, but it might not be the best choice for your spiky pink Louboutins.